Story Book Forest Ashtray

Submitted by Nessa August 19th, 2010
Certifikitsch Winner

Here’s another find from that guy, the one at the flea market who just throws his junk into boxes and doesn’t care if it gets broken.

A Story Book Forest ashtray! Now part of Idlewild park, Story Book Forest opened in 1956 and thousands of little kids have grown up visiting there.

What I find amusing about this is that an ashtray, a symbol of an adult vice, is used to commemorate a visitation to a strictly child-themed attraction. Maybe they took it back for grandma, eh?

It’s hard to see, but a big vintage-looking car is driving through the gates. Flick your ashes right on the entrance!

Made in Japan, of course.

I can’t find any reference to another one of these so I have to assume it’s fairly rare. Too bad it’s so beat up.

2 Responses to “Story Book Forest Ashtray”

  1. Allee Willis

    I’ve never heard of Story Book Forest before. Where was/is Ligonier Pl.? And where is Idlewild park? Did they pick this place up and move it?

    I agree that it’s really twisted to make an ashtray souvenir from a children’s attraction!

  2. Nessa

    Idlewild Park is about 50 miles out of Pittsburgh, technically in Ligonier PA on the good ‘ol Lincoln Highway. It opened in the 1870s, so it’s a very long-standing attraction.

    In the 50s, they opened Story Book Forest right next door, as a “quieter” option to the more boisterous amusement park. They eventually grew into one another and now Story Book Forest is just a part of Idlewild as say.. Epcot is a part of Disney World.

    I have never been there but I’m always tempted to borrow somebody’s kids so I have an excuse to go. My folks went as kids and have pleasant recollections of the place. The park itself is definitely themed at the younger set, so people don’t really go there unless they have little ones in tow.